Illuminating attachment



Feb. 20, 1934. Vq E, ENGLISH 1,947,763

ILLUMINAT ING ATTACHMENT Filed March 16, `1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l /4 g B QM Feb. 20, 1934. v E. ENGLISH ILLUMINATING ATTACHMENT Filed March 16 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Zzls/ f1 tlorney Patented Feb. 20, 1934 ILLUMINATING ATTACHMENT Vernal Edwin English, Phoebns, Va., assigner of one-third to Nora K. Sweek, Phoebus, Va.

Application March 16, 1933. Serial No. 661,139

1 Claim.

This invention relates broadly to illuminating devices and has more particular reference to an attachment for signs for illuminating the latter.

More specifically, the invention is concerned with the provision of an illuminating device for use in conjunction with the front license plate of a vehicle for illuminating the latter.

'Ihe invention comprehends the provision of an attachment of the above mentioned character which can be constructed at a nominal cost, can be retailed for a nominal price, and which will, when applied, present a neat and attractive appearance.

'Ihe invention, together with its numerous objects and advantages, will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the attachment, the same being shown applied.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the attachment per se. v

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view thereof.

, Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially ontheline4-4ofFigure2.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the attachment.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 2, and

:n Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Referring more-in detail to the drawings, it will be, seen that the attachment comprises a reflector designated generally by the reference character 10 and provided with a flat rear wall 11, a transversely curved front wall 12 connected at its rear edge to the top wall 11 and end walls 13.

Integral with the rear wall 11 of the reflector are a pair of relatively spaced elongated supporting arms or extensions 14 provided with longitudinal slots as at 15.

Arranged in the reector 10 are illuminating elements which in the present instance are lelectric bulbs 16. Sockets 17 are provided for the bulbs 16 and are mounted in the end walls 13,

as clearly shown in Figure 4.

Tubular casings 18 are provided for the wires' (not shown) leading to the sockets 17 and these j caslngs, as will be clear from a study of Figures 3 to 7 inclusive, extend from a point adjacent the sockets 17 across the outer faces of the end walls 13, the rear wall l1, and down along the sup: porting arms or extensions 14, so that when viewed in front elevation, the said casings 18 are substantially entirely concealed.

In actual practice, the reflector 10 and 'supporting arms 14 are formed from a single blank of metal suitably shaped, and for strengthening purposes, the arms 14 are formed by folding the metal upon itself as will be clear from a study e0 of Figure 7.

In actual use, the device is mounted so that the reflector 11 is disposed adjacent the upper edge of the vehicular license plate 19, and the said reflector is substantially of the same length e5 as the plate 19. The attaching arms 14 extend vertically across the rear face of the plate 19, between the plate 19 and the usual attaching or supporting brackets generally provided on the vehicle for the license plate. The fastening elements or curing bolts 20 of the type also usually employed for securing the license plate to the aforementioned supporting brackets are also used for securing the attachment in position, the said bolts passing through the slots 15 of the arms 14. 75 Manifestly, the illuminating attachment may be supported at the desired vertical adjustment relative to the plate 19.

When the lamp bulbs 16 are lit, the front face of the license plate 19 will be sumciently illumiso nated to permit of the reading of the plate at night with the result, that ollicers of the law patrolling roads and highways will be readily able to obtain the license number of an approaching vehicle when attempting to identify and apprehend a particular vehicle.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit the invention beyond the requirements of the prior art and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I wish to claimas new is:-

A license plate holder comprising an .elongated lamp box provided with a lamp in each end' thereof and being open at its bottom. said lamp box being provided with a rear wall, a pair of depending integrally connected leg members at the said back wall, each of the said leg members being provided with edge portions bent back upon itself to reinforce the leg. each of the said legs being provided with a longitudinal license plate securing element receiving slot at the edge portion of which the back-turned longitudinal vedge portions of the leg terminate.

- VERNAL EDWIN ENGLISH. 

